The 2016 edition of the Teacher's Week closed with a gala dinner at the Savoy resort and spa on Saturday 8th October. The highlight of the evening was the annual award presentation ceremony during which fifty teachers and one longest serving-retiring head teacher were rewarded for their hard work, devotion and commitment.

In her address on the occasion the Minister for Education, Mrs. Macsuzy Mondon reflected on the theme for 2016 Teacher's Week "La réussite de mes étudiants, mon engagement", which she said is a lucid reminder of the ultimate raison d'être of teachers and educators; of the magnitude of the influence teachers have on their students and the extent to which the power of their teaching impact and transform the world and it speaks volumes about the high status we attribute to our teachers and their essential role in nation building.

The Minister continued by saying that the challenges that our students face today are not necessarily the same challenges that we faced as students and as teachers, we should make an effort to face these challenges together with our students and keep persisting until they have been overcome. This is what "La réussite de mes étudiants, mon engagement" symbolises.

Minister Mondon also highlighted some of the structures that are in place and opportunities that are available to support teachers in their professional development, such as the revised Teachers Scheme of Service, the teachers' Laptop Scheme, degree level courses in various fields at universities and other training opportunities for in-service primary teachers.

In addition to these structures, parental involvement is a valuable asset that will go a long way to promote learning and enhance the level of students' attainment, irrespective of their individual ability or learning style.

Celebrating Teachers

The Ministry of Education remains faithful to the commitment it made 26 years ago to celebrate the profession and pay tribute to teachers for their long years of service that they have dedicated to educating the citizens of Seychelles. This year teachers with 25 years of continuous service in the profession, retiring teachers and the longest serving head teacher and teacher were rewarded during the ceremony.